To create a huge gap from their comfort zone to the unknown world would certainly make the casts feel uncomfortable at first. The reality show is aiming for this kind of effect where viewers would be able to see how people of their status cope with their new environment whilst showing their strengths and weaknesses. Would they be able to persist or fail without giving it a try?

In this program, casts will be forced to handle things they usually haven’t done on their own. Their tempers will be put to the test. Everyone knows this. They also know that in this kind of reality show everything will be nitpicked by the audience and subjected to all kinds of scrutiny.  

Although the rewards are high, they dare not join for fear of exposing their true nature and eventually ruining their name. Especially those established celebrities with millions of fans.

“You’re putting them in a faraway village? That place is remote, thousands of miles away. My daughter is the heiress of Luz Companies, what will become of her if she mixes along with those commoners.” Mrs Luz exclaimed at Miss Gina and slapped the program contract on the table. “Didn’t I tell you to handle Maya’s career, what kind of garbage show is this?!”

Miss Gina hastened to pacify, “Madam, it has to be done to make sure of the authenticity of the show. It was President Bo himself who assured us that Maya will not suffer any hardships during the filming. Although it will be broadcasted live for an entire week, the staff and director are ready. They will not burden them too much.”

Didn’t she consent to this program? If she was not the wife of a big boss Miss Gina would love to laugh at her face. What does she think of show business? She wants to use her daughter to gain fame but was too reluctant to bear the slightest suffering. Sooner or later she will offend some people she could not afford and will thoroughly regret it. 

“The show will not start filming until the end of September because the 3rd Season is still on the air. There is still plenty of time to prepare for the actual show. Right now the cast only has to do a few interviews for slight exposure.”

Mrs Luz calmed down not because she accepted it. She just didn’t want to talk more and was too lazy to deal with all these complications. Mr Luz came down at this moment with an assistant pulling his luggage. 

“You’re travelling? Where? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Came a rapid-fire question. 

Mr Luz wrinkled his forehead, “It’s a business trip, about the land bidding you suggested to me before.” 

“Oh,” Mrs Luz calmed down after realizing she overreacted.

Manager Gina sat awkwardly pretending she did not see nor hear anything. It seems Mrs Luz is the suspicious type. Well, it was understandable since she won her husband over by snatching it from another woman. Naturally, she is afraid of the same ghost haunting her especially now that there are plenty of beautiful women everywhere and her looks could not keep up. 

Mrs Luz approached to fix her husband’s tie but he stepped back a little because of her strong perfume. 

“It was too bad for the land in the inner ring of the East District.”

“Business is unpredictable.” He replied but he was still angry about losing a prime area. Maya failed to inform him about the withdrawal of that land causing him to be laughed at during the auction. 

Although some colleagues verbally congratulated him for having such a brilliant daughter like Sena, he could feel their mockery when he turned his back. In their eyes, he is a fool who threw away diamonds for stones.  

“Fortunately, I met someone at the spa who mentioned this to me.” Mrs Luz twittered on so satisfied with herself. 

However, what she told her husband was far from the truth. No person told her about the land at all. She only overheard two women talking about it seriously and she quickly took credit. They were planning to bid for the remaining piece near the southeast area which only a few people knew. Mrs Luz hurriedly went home and told him about it. Mr Luz had to investigate first to confirm its validity. Finally, the auction was proven authentic, Luz Companies signed up for the bidding at the starting price of two hundred million. 

It was a large sum but it will be returned once the east is fully developed. 

“Husband, be careful in your travel and good luck at the bidding.” Mrs Luz hugged him affectionately and patted his shoulders. “Don’t worry, I am in charge while you are away.”

Shortly after Mr Luz and his team departed, they resumed the topic about Maya’s career.  

Mrs Luz returned to her indifferent face, “Very well, what was your itinerary for my Maya?”

Manager Gina gifted her teeth and swallowed down her indignation. She proposed that Maya continue interacting with her audience in SNS. She has gained more than four million followers like a celebrity so she better grabs this chance to be known. 

She opened Maya’s SNS and compared it to other casts who had a vast number of followers as well. The anime enthusiast Nancy has a large fandom because of her skilful make-up and costume derived from famous Japanese anime. She has become a celebrity in their circle by her ingenuity and hard work. 

Yuni and Maya are cousins, Yuni’s content perpetually follows her own style of a rich young lady. Maya had a slightly similar pattern as her with the difference of adding her hobbies and work-related photos and videos rather than her lifestyle. In a sense, Yuni’s page is screaming with wealth and embodies the word extravagance.    

Surprisingly, when Miss Gina tried to search for Sena she appeared on the list. She must have changed her profile from private to public. Her Twitter is concentrated on her career while the Instagram SNS was simple and classy, mostly were pictures of scenery, novel interior design related to her job, some mundane stuff like good food and where to find them. 

No overly exaggerated shots, even when she had pictures of herself, it was only to showcase clothes. Which outfit is good for mixing and matching. Where and what occasions to wear them.  

The clean page hooked more than five million followers already! A full million ahead of Maya in just a few days?!

Then looking at her page, compared to this, Yuni’s SNS filled with branded things appeared vulgar. Others are not so catchy and meaningful as well.  

“We have to make adjustments…” Miss Gina concluded while kneading her forehead. 

Three days later Rainbow Media in charge of the program Challenge Me sent the good news to its new season’s casts. A large investment was added to give more exposure to everyone before the airing of the show. Those actors and celebrities who turned down the offer to join regretted their hasty decision fully. 

With this move, Rainbow Media is making it clear to everyone that the 4th season is not only about entertainment anymore but a disguised audition. Anyone who participated can not only tap on more benefits the company can offer but also bask in the limelight.  

Soon the new casts of Challenge Me Season 4 received their boost. 

At President Bo’s office, Maya saw the list from the producer and inadvertently swept her eyes on Sena’s name. If she was not mistaken, this is an invitation for a local clothing line. Her eyes narrowed slightly. 

“President, this is…?”

The middle-aged uncle sighed indifferently, “It was Lynx itself who wanted to invite Sena to model for their collection. I heard that the daughter of Lynx’s designer is a fan of hers. This is still negotiable since we are not sure if Sena Erde would agree to their terms.” 

On the other hand, Apple who read and studied Sena’s contract had a terrifying expression on his face that no one came within five meters near him. It was clearly written that the casts will be interviewed for the show but they had been waiting for the call from the director for days after the photo shoot and there was still none. 

In frustration, Apple drove to Rainbow Media to talk to the program manager to confirm. It was a good thing that he came or else he wouldn’t find out that they also cancelled Sena’s supposed to be an advertisement for Lynx! 

To put it bluntly, the manager told him that, “It was Lynx itself who asked for the change of model. The owner of the clothing line requested Maya Luz instead of Ms Erde that is why we followed as told.” 

He wanted to laugh all of a sudden. Apple had been in the business for long not to know these cheap swapping tricks they played. They were clearly playing against Sena! 

Very well, no interview, no advertisement as well. A sneer lifted the corner of his mouth. He looked at the program manager straight in the eyes, unsmiling.

The manager felt cold sweat crawl down from her back, Apple’s ice-face somewhat frightened her despite being a veteran and her seniority.  

“If Sena backs out from the program, how much will we have to pay for the breach?”

Back out?! This wasn’t what was agreed upon! 

“Mr Adin... this, I have to consult with the team about this. The preparations are already underway.”

She also did not understand the president’s idea. On the surface, they were eager to cast Sena but they were also strangling her growth. 

“In short, you do not want to let go of Sena but you were also reluctant to give her privileges, correct?” He said bluntly, making her speechless. 

More sweat formed and dripped from her forehead. 

Apple snorted, then eyed the box of tissues. 

He flicked the nonexistent dust on his custom suit and turned away. “I’ll give you until tonight to give us a proper explanation.” 

Back at his pad, Apple switched on the computer beside a silver gilded frame. In it is a photo of him and the late Paula during their high school days. 

“Can you see this?” He spoke candidly as if the person was still there. 

There were blistering comments online about the controversy of her and Mr Luz’s marriage. Although it was only minor news, it was still upsetting to see. Sena told him to wait for her to find evidence before replying to this. 

Maybe his way of thinking was too outdated. Once he sees something detrimental to her image, he can't help but swoop down like a protective bear. This time, it was Sena who pacified him. 

 

Regarding the changes in the program, Sena is not yet notified as all her attention is focused on the company. In a restaurant near Diamond HQ, a person from another brokerage suddenly came when everyone was in the middle of a hearty lunch. Sena’s group of agents ate on the first floor at their usual table when people from the exclusive room upstairs came down.

Lyndon’s sharp eyes immediately noticed Sena and approached with a friendly smile. 

“I didn’t know you patronize this place.” 

Everyone on the table did not stop eating. The boss hadn’t paused, isn’t that clear enough? Besides, Elia had a bad impression of this person acting fresh and familiar with their boss. Last time at Ren Tsukiya’s open house party, he kept engaging her to talk despite the boss’s reluctance to reply. 

Elia did not know he was a broker himself, the same as Sena but so what?

“This is a great opportunity,” Lyndon smiled from ear to ear, “I was planning to go to your office to talk about a listing. It seems the two of us had taken a fancy to the same place in the Central Business District, we might as well discuss it.”  

Coincidence eating at the same place? She had seen plenty of him these past few days, she would be blind not knowing he’s up to something. Sena snorted. He finally couldn’t hold it and stated his real purpose. 

“I have quite a few in that area, I don’t know which one you were referring to.” She replied, spooning her vegetable stir fry. 

Since Hollyhock declared bankruptcy, it was seized by another brokerage Delta Company. Unlike their company who only concentrate on selling luxury properties, Delta is more versatile selling not only in houses and land but also in other spaces. The agents from Delta had no idea why Lyndon suddenly ran off to greet the people from Diamond Realtors. Knowing that he interrupted the meal some of them felt a little embarrassed but after seeing that none from the other side was taking him seriously, they began to feel angry.

“Ms Erde, Lyndon wanted to talk to you about business. Would you allow him a bit of your time?”

Sena paused, looking at the woman with bright red lipstick. “If it is about business, anyone is always welcome but you have to at least consider the convenience of time and place.”  

The people from Delta looked at each other. Those who were in the lounge having their meal also stopped giving them a scrutinizing look. 

“My apologies for disrupting your meal,” Lyndon said stiffly. 

He was too hasty just a moment ago and forgot where they are currently. It was his second time being shut down by Sena’s indifference, he thought he could rely on his position as her former senior but he assumed way too much. She has changed a lot. 

Lyndon pressed down the suffocating feeling in his chest and forced himself to calm down. 

This episode ended quickly and it did not affect Sena’s mood. 

Jue’s phone rang when they were about to come out. Everyone briefly understood that his neighbour and childhood friend is making another racket again. This time, it was her mother who called Jue to rush into the hospital because she had an accident at school. 

Sena knew the turning point for his and Katya’s relationship stemmed from here. If not for this incident, the two could have been together and married happily. Naturally, she did not want to see the replay of the same tragic story. Sena told herself she is not nosy, it was only because she feels this kind of drama was an eyesore. 

Sena’s inner conscience rolled her eyes. Yeah, right. 

“Something wrong?” Katya asked Jue hesitantly. 

Jue is a big pooch when it comes to the tiny Katya. Ever since he realized that he liked her, he became more and more obedient to her. He is aware that everyone regarded him as an emotionally slow person. Perhaps but it was not to a point of muddle headedness. 

The reason he acquiesced to his childhood friend was because of his sense of responsibility. As a male regarded as a relative by the auntie next door, he counted himself as the protector. Their neighbour had no man at home so he felt sorry for the mother and daughter pair. 

His parents already went back to their hometown to enjoy their retirement, and he is now considered single and capable. Naturally, he also began to put distance as what his mother told him before leaving. These days are no longer the same as the old days. 

Boss also talked to him about this some time ago and enlightened him about other things. 

“There is a problem over there,” Jue told Katya honestly. By ‘over there’ he meant his neighbours. 

Katya also understood. Her relationship with him is just getting deeper and as her feelings mature she becomes sensitive to people who might have other intentions to the person she likes. But the opponent is a long-time friend. She could only rust Jue. 

“It seems to be an emergency,” Katya said gently. 

He sighed, “Yeah. I’ll take a look and return quickly. Alright?” 

Although feeling heavy, Katya can only nod her head. Jue took his car keys and stood. Sena patted him in the back.

“Don’t disappoint me.” She said in a voice only the two of them can hear. 

For some reason, Jue felt cold in the stomach. Why does Boss look like she was about to cut off his head? Illusion, that’s probably just his illusion. Their dear cute and sweet Boss wouldn’t be so scary.

At the hospital, a nurse rushed next to him when he crossed the service desk. 

“Mr So?”

He stopped, “Yes?”

“The patient in room 603, is your sister?”

“Yes…” He answered. 

“She has already finished all her checkups and was prescribed the necessary medicine. We are just waiting for you to settle the bill and she will be discharged tomorrow.” 

Jue: ??? 

Seeing his blank look, the nurse smiled. “Your aunt said that you will come today to visit. The cost of the check-up will be handed over to you.” 

“Excuse me,” Jue could not speak for a while. He thought he rushed here to see a bloody scene like those in the movies. When auntie called him she was very flustered in between crying and stuttering.

Over the years he took them like real relatives. He was not stingy whenever he received a bonus and took them to eat good food from time to time. Even when his mother disagrees, he felt sorry for them and would sometimes lend them cash to get by.

The little sister he thought was cute and obedient was spoiled by him to the point that she completely became another person. He only realized it later when Boss pointed these things out in the open. 

“You buy her expensive gifts. How many people in the same situation as her but were still out there working to earn money on their own? You pamper her like you owed it to her. Tell me, are you planning to be his stepfather?” 

Although it was a nasty joke, it woke him up. 

“Mr So?” The nurse called. 

“This, you have to talk to her family about this. I’m just her big brother next door.” He told her and walked to the ward tiredly. He did not enter yet because he saw that they had a visitor. 

“Your bill is very expensive for only a sprain?” A girl with the same uniform exclaimed. 

“This is a private hospital after all,” the middle-aged aunt said proudly. “My daughter had an accident at school, she is about to graduate this year. What if her injury left a scar? You know that her career must not be affected because of this. Anyway, Jue is going to pay for it so we are not worried. That child has a high income and he will surely not let Mimi suffer.” 

“Sister Mimi, you’re lucky to have him as your suitor. Everyone in the university envies you because Jue has a good career and a handsome appearance. He’s been following you for so long right? When are you going to officially date?”

“Don’t call him that, I’m not going to date him. He just looks handsome but he is very dull.” Mimi frowned in disgust. 

Her mother slapped her hand “Why are you saying?”

“Am I wrong?”

“Jue has a high income, he even bought a car and a new apartment!”

Mimi was startled, “He did?!” 

“I only overheard him calling someone in the parking lot. Another thing, don’t you know that Jue and that colleague of his in the office are being teased together? If you don’t pick him up someone else will! I heard that the woman is a former school teacher and has a good family background. Jue is a good catch.” 

“Humph!” She snorted. “I know he is a good catch but I don’t like him.”

Her mother nagged some more.

“Women who pretend to be nice like her are usually the ones who are most itchy. I’m sure she just wants a bed partner. Sadly for her brother, Jue is obedient to me. One call and he comes running here. With me around, what kind of cheap bitch can hook him up?”   

Jue's teeth clenched hearing their conversation. How dare she speak of Katya like that?! He couldn’t hold back and kicked the door then turned his back. The nurse at the counter saw him and was about to speak.

“Let them pay for their bill.” He said coldly and left with a glare. 

Some people are not worth your care and affection. Because even as years pass, no amount of goodwill can melt the greed and vanity in their hearts.

Mimi’s mother came out when half an hour passed without a sign of Jue coming. She walked up to the service desk to ask the nurse only to be stupefied. 

“Mr So already came, did he not show up in your ward?” The nurse said amiably. 

He came?! The middle-aged aunt’s face blanched then she faintly recalled the noise they heard at the door w while ago. She has a very bad premonition about this. “We have not seen him.” 

“Is that so?” The nurse said vaguely, “Oh, before I forget ma’am. Mr So said that he is not the one responsible for the bill. The patient in 603 has done all her checkups. Here is the OR for the check-up, medicines, private room and doctor’s fee. Please settle it in the billing department before discharge tomorrow morning. Thank you.” 

Mimi’s mother still hasn't woken up from the shock that Jue came by but did not enter the ward. The next thing she knew, she was facing a bill of more than four thousand dollars. 

Noting from the clues she got and by Mr So’s dumbfounded expression, the nurse realized that this family might be using the poor man’s name without his consent. She couldn’t help but feel disgusted by their trick. 

Katya was reviewing documents when he returned to the office. The petite girl is chewing on toffee while seriously doing her job. In this high tension environment, she became his respite. She may not be as beautiful as any superstar but for him, her calming demeanour and soft personality are perfect.

The anger he felt melted just like that. 

“Kat,” He called with a wide grin. “Let’s go camping sometime.”

“Sure. Who else is coming?”

“No one. Just the two of us.” He said solemnly. “I want it to be just us. Would you like that?”

Katya’s hand on the document shook. “W-What about the--”

“Say yes, please?”

She blushed. Understanding his meaning, “Yes.”

Jue pinched her red cheeks and went back to his cubicle with the proud gait of a giant dog happy to finally snatch his favourite bone. Sena who was getting her coffee saw it and shook her head. 

Thank goodness it went well this time.